Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS or P&P... well, I want to, but I can't, because, well, I'm not the owner...

Warning: cheesy scene ahead

And presenting...

Chapter 20


Three days later at noon, Ms. Satsuki, Honoka, Subaru, Erika and Aoi were busy arranging the restaurant. They lay out the best china on the table, the best tablecloth, curtains and many more, but the restaurant was closed that day. By afternoon during tea time, a few invited friends will arrive to celebrate a special event, for it was Misaki and Emile's engagement party.

"Parties like this are supposed to be at evening. Ms. Satsuki, remind me again why we are celebrating at this time." Aoi asked.

"Well, that will be Misa's own reasons, Aoi. Even I do not know of her plans," Ms. Satsuki answered.

"But it looks like they're hurrying, and people might not understand, and then..." Aoi said, but was interrupted by Subaru. "We are just doing this, according to our plans."

"But then again, even if I do not favour this, but for Misa's sake, let's just do our best," Ms. Satsuki said.

"The only ones who were invited were us, Inspector Norris and his wife, that's all, I guess?" Erika said.

"But then again, unexpected guests might come," Honoka said.

"Do you think that he might come?"Erika asked.

"Probably. I wonder what will happen..." Honoka said.

"Anyway, no matter what happens, we should achieve our goal, right?" Ms. Satsuki said, trying to be cheerful.

The staff continued to organize the party. After that, they had lunch, which was before the said event.

-0-

An hour before the party, at Misaki's house, the sisters were silently preparing themselves for the said event. Misaki was sitting in front of the mirror in her room while Suzuna was combing Misaki's hair. It might have been a little awkward to the sisters not to speak with each other for quite a while, and Suzuna decided to break it.

"I wonder how Ms. Sakura is now," she said.

"Sakura and Kuuga are now preparing for their wedding," Misaki said.

"Ahhh, but you didn't invite them to your party, dear sister. I am sure that Sakura would love to come," Suzuna said.

Misaki smiled and said, "It's probably the best not to bother them. Besides, they even send their regards to me and Emile."

"But there is that part of the letter where both of them were a bit surprised of your development with Emile. Probably they expected you with..."

"They expected, but should I reply that I apologize that I didn't live with their expectations?" Misaki said.

Suzuna was a bit silent as she didn't know what to say anymore. Then, she stopped brushing Misaki's hair, and said, "I am sorry, sister, it's entirely my fault. If I had not..."

"It's not your fault, Suzuna," Misaki said, "After all, it is my decision."

"But..."

"Please do not ask anything more of the subject," Misaki remarked to end the conversation.

Suzuna then continued to brush Misaki's hair, arranged it into a bun, and then, the sound of a carriage arriving in front of their house was heard.

-0-

The restaurant was then occupied by the staff, Inspector Norris (his wife was not present due to some circumstances, he said) and Emile, himself. As Misaki and her sister Suzuna arrived, Misaki was assisted by her fiancée to her seat, and Suzuna by the Inspector, but as they were about to begin, they were a bit surprised, except Emile, at the sound of another carriage outside the restaurant.

"Who could that be? I am pretty sure that we are already complete," Ms. Satsuki said.

"Oh, pardon me for not telling you earlier, Ms. Satsuki, that I invited a few more to this party," Emile said. He rose up and went to the door to welcome the extra visitors.

They waited, until Emile appeared and said, "Inspector Norris, I believe you have heard of the two of them, but haven't seen them the least. My friends, I would like to introduce to you Mr Gerard and Mrs. Eloise Walker"

Gerard and Eloise then appeared; all stood up and curtsied. Then Emile added, "I know that you met him before, but I would like to spare some introduction, the final one..."

Misaki didn't hear the rest of what Emile said, for she happened to see the final guest. Time stood still as she met Usui eye to eye.

-0-

All were now seated and chatting gleefully. Ms. Satsuki had entertained them very well; Gerard and Eloise conversed with Misaki, though a bit different from what they did back at Château de Chamomiles, but out of respect to her. Usui hardly ever spoke a word as Emile discussed to Inspector his and Misaki's plans of marriage.

"And have you decided of the date?" Inspector said.

"Since the militia will be going away a week after," Emile said, as he held Misaki's hand, "We decided to be married three days after this day."

All stopped sipping their tea, or for some, eating snacks, after Emile said those words.

"Well, uh, that's a bit too early, Emile," Gerard said, "Are you both certain of that? My advice is to plan these out carefully, I mean, marriage is not a simple thing."

"We are certain, Mr. Walker," Emile said, then turning to Misaki, "After all, since I am here, I want to be with Misaki more, since in the militia, you are not certain of your circumstances, especially when duty calls."

Misaki only smiled at him and then sipped her tea. Then, Emile rose and said, "I'll excuse myself for now; the commander only allowed me until four in the afternoon, and I do not want to be late for my appointment"

"Then," Misaki said, "Have a pleasant day"

Emile smiled, and the rest of the party bid their goodbyes, and Emile left. After a few minutes, they ran out of tea, so Ms. Satsuki went to the kitchen to make one. As the party continued to chat, Ms. Satsuki called Misaki to assist her. A minute later, everyone heard a china breaking. All rushed to the kitchen and saw Misaki apologizing to Ms. Satsuki, "Ms. Satsuki, I am very sorry. Let me clean this up," then turning at the guests, said, "I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. I will take care of this mess. So please, do return to the hall. You too, Ms. Satsuki."

All left except for one person. "Let me help you," said Usui.

"No," Misaki said, "Mr. Usui, please go back with them."

"A gentleman will not leave a lady unattended," Usui said, "That is why, please let me assist you, Ms. Ayuzawa."

Misaki did not bother to argue so she let him stay. Together, they cleaned the mess and threw the broken teacup and joined the rest. She expected him to say something, but nothing ever came from his lips; both of them were silent until the end of the party.

All of the guests left by dusk, and after they cleaned up the restaurant, the staff went to their separate ways.

-0-

The Walkers and Usui stayed at a hotel new the town, and they were relaxing; Gerard was reading in front of the fire, Eloise was knitting, while Usui was standing by the window, staring outside.

"Misa is not really herself back there, that I am certain," Eloise said as she stopped knitting.

"Frankly, my dear Eloise, first of all, I am quite surprised you knit at this hour. Are you feeling uneasy, my dear?" Gerard said, for he remembered that Eloise only knit when she felt strong negative emotions, such as being upset or nervous.

"For Ms. Misaki, yes," Eloise said, "I get this feeling that something will happen. And also" turning to Usui, "You haven't done anything against this situation, stupid Takumi!"

Usui turned to Eloise and said, "What then, should I do, Eloise? If this is what Ms. Ayuzawa wants, then I have no right to stop her, right?"

"How heartless!" Eloise exclaimed, "And you were such good terms back at the Château, and I was hoping that you will propose to her and then..."

"I cannot do anything with her decision, Eloise,"said Usui, "Besides, of what I heard, he is her childhood friend. I am sure he'll take care of her. Ms. Ayuzawa knows what she is doing."

"I quite agree with you, Takumi," Gerard finally said.

Eloise exclaimed, "Eh? You are agreeing... what... I mean, Gerard, hear yourself! I know that even you didn't what this too..."

"That's true that Misaki knows what she is doing and that you cannot interfere her decisions," Gerard interrupted and then looked at Usui, "and I know that you know what might happen if the marriage will occur, because we all know the man's nature better than the others. But that aside, Takumi, would you let her go easily even if it hurts both of you?"

-0-

Late at night, back in Misaki's house, Misaki was in her bedroom in her nightgown and robe, still staring at her window. She was in her deep thoughts regarding the case and was carefully planning on her next steps. Then, she heard Suzuna opening their front door and letting someone in. Misaki planned to go outside, but Suzuna and the visitor were already in the door outside her room. She heard Suzuna spoke, "Here is my sister's room. Then, I'll leave you with her."

"Thank you", the visitor answered. Misaki recognized the voice, and did not bother to budge from where she was standing. She heard knocking, and she permitted the guest to enter. Indeed, it was none other than Usui himself.

They stared at each other for a few seconds until Misaki finally spoke, "Well, uhh, Mr. Usui, pray take a seat." But Usui didn't.

Again, Misaki said, "Shall I make you some tea?"

"No"

Silence again overcame the two, then Misaki spoke, "I am sorry, but may I ask what your business here is?"

Usui walked towards Misaki and said, "You are my business here, Ayuzawa."

Misaki was startled, then she began to step back, but Usui kept walking towards her as he said, "I was thinking for three days straight, Ayuzawa, what on earth are your reasons of marrying that man."

"Well, he's my childhood friend...," Misaki replied.

"But you knew of his character, of what he has done, Misaki," Usui said, "Even if you were childhood friends with him, I know that you will also consider that."

Unfortunately, Misaki was stopped by a corner and was trapped by Usui. Then he said, "Hmmm, I was really bothered, Misaki, of your reasons why you accepted his proposal."

"And I'll tell you this you have no right to say against of my engagement to Emile," Misaki said with a heightened tone.

"Ohh, no right, huh?" Usui said, and he drew her right hand, "Then what is this?" as he pointed on a wound on her hand.

Misaki hesitated, and said, "Well... that wound is from... the broken teacup from the party!"

"Really, from that teacup," Usui said, "How come I didn't see your hand bled from then?"

"Well... that is..."

"You really are bad in lying, Misaki," Usui smirked, and then in a more serious and lower voice, said, "Did he threatened you?"

Misaki did not answer. "He did threaten you, Misaki..." Usui said and was interrupted by Misaki.

"Think what you want to think, but no matter what you say or do, Usui, my decision, is final," Misaki said with a stern face, "I will marry him."

They stare at each others' faces in silence for some time, then Usui's eyes began to soften, smiled and then he murmured, "I guess I cannot change your mind now."

"What did you say?"

"Well then," Usui said, "probably it will be regarded as rude right now, especially for you, now that you are marrying another, but please, let me give you an advice as well as a good luck charm."

"What are you-" Misaki began, but was interrupted by Usui as he kissed the corner of her lips.

Misaki cannot bring herself to continue to speak; she probably was too stunned as to what Usui has done. It was long with a bit of passion, rather, with passion but repressed. The action was actually not right in terms with etiquette, if not etiquette, the law, but deep down inside both wanted to get out of reality and stay like that forever, but they knew it cannot be.

After the kiss, Usui's face was very near at Misaki's ear and whispered in a low but soothing voice, "Whenever you felt alone and in need of someone to cry on, please do not hesitate to come to me, Misaki. I will always be your friend."

But the feelings were too great to be hidden, even if for someone with a high level of control, for Usui's lips touched Misaki's neck. Misaki, like before, didn't speak, but clutched at Usui's overcoat. She can always distinguish the smell of chamomiles on Usui, very smooth and calming, and it is probably for the best to cherish the moment, for they will be parting.

They again faced each other, Usui chuckled as he said, "And I thought that you will yell at my face for what I have done."

Misaki was still stunned and could do nothing but to stare at his face as he continued, "Before we part, I have something to tell you that I should have told you when you were staying at the Château. I never did regret that I fell in love with you...no, rather, I still harbor the same feelings even after you rejected my proposal. I am glad, that my feelings reached you, and they will always be true to you," then he lightly kissed Misaki's forehead and ended with "I am glad that I have met you, Ms. Misaki Ayuzawa"

Usui left the room silently, and as he closed the door behind him, as if her body moved on its own, Misaki walked towards the door but didn't open it. Instead she caressed the door for reasons unknown, as if wishing the it will open again and him coming back, but it never happened. "How cruel," she said, "Back at the party, he barely said anything and ignored me almost all throughout the day, then comes here at night to do something like that."

She felt her cheeks burning, half of it because out of, say, embarrassment because of what Usui did, but the other half probably of loneliness; tears began to flow when she leaned at the door as she said to herself, "Idiot Usui, why did you have to things harder for me to bear..."

-0-

Suzuna led Usui out of the house and bid farewell. Usui was standing near a tree near Misaki's house and just stared at Misaki's window in hopes to see a glimpse of Misaki, but there was none. He just smiled as he remembered Misaki's astonished face and said to himself, "That's too dangerous, Ayuzawa." But his smile faded as he thought of Misaki's impending marriage to Emile. He clenched his fist, and out of anger, punched the tree as he said, "Emile, you bastard... just what are you planning to do with Misaki?"

-0-

There are some things which are done in the dark of the night. Some of the reasons were that it is indeed appropriate to do it, such as eating dinner, or sleeping (though you can sleep in the morning), or that it is better to do it at night, but one can use the darkness to hide something, may be it an action or a secret, such as a thief stealing something. The moonless night was such a big help as a young man or woman climbed at the wall, entered a building through a window, stole an object and went away without anyone else knowing. On the following morning, Emile talked to Inspector that the cane which his father gave him was stolen, and Inspector Norris promised to have his men recover it in time before the wedding.

_END_


And there you have it.. chapter 20...

Well, sorry for the delay, it is because I was away from my country... still a bit tired, though, cause when we got back there was just this minor problem we were facing...

Well, this chapter, first of all, for me, very intimate? Lol, I'm sorry for that. I meant that chapter for Misaki and Usui, from archenemies to star-crossed lovers XD poor, poor both of them... (though I hesitated the part where Usui said "bastard", I'm really sorry but I meant it to be a little OOC, oh, and it's the corner of the lips which was kissed, not the lips itself) As for the whole details to why these happened, why Misaki agreed, did Emile threaten Misaki etc. questions like that will be answered in the later chapters, as Misaki finally settles the case... but, it would be helpful if you too would post your questions, either through review or PM, to clarify things especially regarding the case.

The story is indeed ending soon, and after this story, comes another one from SA, something magical, tales of love, betrayal, deception, or whatsoever... the "White Rose for the Dark Lord". I'll finish this first, then after that, a trilogy of sorts (KWMS and SA crossover). For me, KWMS and SA are really great for crossover, especially with Misaki, Usui, Hikari and Takishima's characters... :)

Well, that's it for now... see you in the next chapter!

Happy summer everyone!

~otaku911